Many Chinese painters paint nudes, and it is my theory that much of both
the supply and the demand result from the fact that China is only
entering its sexual revolution, at present.

In fact, although we like the idea of nude, too often the nudes from
Chinese artists are to lascivious to be tasteful. Therefore we are
always happy to see a gentle rendition of the subject by artists, who
have done only a few nudes and who have done them just to try their hand
at a new topic.

$3,500

30x40cm

721.

Red Peonies (large),
original oil painting by Xu Zhao Qian

Every red-blooded Chinese artists has to make a few peony paintings, as
the red peony is the Chinese national flower.

$6,000

60x60cm

Yellow Flowers in Pot,
watercolor by Xu Zhao Qian

$2,100

37x41cm

Ancient Forest, original
oil painting by Xu zhao Qian (2012)

Trees are actually the oldest living things on our planet, today, with
ages reaching over 4,000 years. Even in our neighborhood of Old
Dongshan, in Guangzhou, we have many old trees that are at least several
hundred years old. It is trees and plants, in fact, that made it
possible for animals to populate the planet, so, it is appropriate that
we celebrate trees, in art.

Xu tells us that it took him seven months to complete the detailed work
in this painting. The branch work stretches out in minute detail,
and the cows only serve as a reference to show the enormity of the large
trees. The grasses and shrubs in the foreground are also done with
great detail. The sole human figure serves to show how small a
part man is in our earthly environment.

Chinese men like paintings of youngish Chinese girls, so, many artists
paint those portraits. Few, however, paint more mature women, like
Xu has done in this one. I liked it immediately when I saw it.
The muted colors reminded me of the colors of the Neo-Impressionists'
palette, and the way that the mountains in the background were done
reminded me of paintings by Cezanne.

In the mountains, in springtime with a flock of geese flying in the
background, pulling up her hair to feel the cool breeze on her neck, it
is the portrait of a real woman. The colors are muted but pretty,
just as her beauty is subtle, and Xu has done a nice job on the folds of
her clothing as well as on the muscles and bones of her neckline.
It is the portrait of a woman enjoying the simple sensuality of a cool
breeze blowing through the mountains of China.

Originally painted in 2004, Xu actually revised this painting a number
of times, until we recently purchased it. He told me that he was
unsatisfied with the way that it was originally done. We actually
saw pictures of it included in a book from the past, and the woman had a
much more haughty look, and there were no mountains or flying geese.
We like the final version, much better. It will be included in an
upcoming book of Xu's work that is being printed by Beijing.